Ideal Weight Calculator (Metric)

What is Ideal Weight?

Ideal weight is the optimal body mass that corresponds to your height and gender, promoting the best health outcomes. Our calculator uses the scientifically validated Devine formula to determine your ideal weight.

How the Ideal Weight Calculator Works

The calculator employs the Devine formula, developed in 1974:

• For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg × (height in inches - 60)
• For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg × (height in inches - 60)

This formula accounts for physiological differences between men and women and is widely used in medical practice for determining target body weight.

Healthy Weight Ranges and BMI Categories

Beyond ideal weight, it's important to understand healthy weight ranges for your height:

• Underweight: BMI below 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 and above

Factors Affecting Ideal Weight

When determining your target weight, consider:

• Body frame size (small, medium, large)
• Muscle mass and activity level
• Age and health status
• Genetic factors and metabolism

Tips for Achieving and Maintaining Ideal Weight

To maintain a healthy weight:

• Follow a balanced, nutritious diet
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Practice portion control
• Stay hydrated and get adequate sleep
• Monitor your progress regularly

When to Consult a Healthcare Professional

Consult a doctor or nutritionist if:

• Your current weight is significantly outside the healthy range
• You have underlying health conditions
• You need personalized weight management advice
• You're planning significant dietary or lifestyle changes

Ideal Weight by Height — Quick Reference

Who the BMI Scale Applies To

The WHO categories on this page are for adults aged 18 and over, and they are the same for men and women: sex does not enter the BMI formula and does not move the category boundaries.

Children and teenagers aged 5–19 are read differently. Their BMI is compared with a WHO reference for age and sex and expressed as a z-score (SDS; WHO publishes the same reference as percentile charts): overweight above +1 SD, obesity above +2 SD, thinness below −2 SD and severe thinness below −3 SD. At the top of that range the two scales meet — WHO notes that +1 SD equals a BMI of 25 at 19 years, and +2 SD equals 30. WHO BMI-for-age (5–19 years)

For older adults the WHO classification above draws no separate line by age. Other guidance does, for a different purpose: the ESPEN consensus on diagnosing malnutrition counts a BMI as reduced below 20 under the age of 70 and below 22 above it. On its own that is not a diagnosis: there it only counts alongside mandatory unintentional weight loss. It is a boundary inside a diagnostic criterion, not a healthy weight range, and this page does not apply it. ESPEN Consensus Statement, Clinical Nutrition, 2015